When it came to writing this blog, I was faced with a seemingly obvious choice. I am an engineer, so of course I was going to write something technical. Right? Well, the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to actually delve into the softer, “people” topics… and why is that?
For starters, I didn’t want to take the easy way out and just write a brain dump of one of my favourite technologies (there will be plenty of time for that later). It dawned on me that, in fact, I just really wanted to share with others the human face of working in Cisco. Well, not only that – but also how by getting a job here I managed to turn my life completely upside down, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Interested? Read on.
So, I already mentioned I am an engineer. UK-based Cisco Systems Engineer, to be precise – which means I work across the boundaries of both technology and sales (more on that in another blog sometime). And while I’d like to think I was always like that at heart, I was not always doing this job. You see, two years ago I was still in Poland, tying up loose ends and yearning for something greater than being a graduate trying to make his garage business work.
The early days. Notice the CCNA book – back then this was the next big thing…
I was approached by one of Cisco’s University Connection team members through a professional networking portal. You see, Cisco has a team of people who keep in touch with students and recent graduates, so that it can tap into all the talent there. I was very excited to find out Cisco had openings for the role of Associate Systems Engineer (as part of CSAP – Cisco Sales Associates Program), and I immediately decided to give it a go. A couple of phone interviews and an assessment centre in Zurich later, I was in. Imagine my joy when I learned that in a few weeks I will be joining one of the biggest (and soon #1 if we follow through on our collective goal) IT companies in the world – and one that has been the bellwether of the networking industry for over two decades. Not too shabby.
I’ll skip the logistics of moving to the UK – let’s just acknowledge the fact that I was leaving a big chunk of my life behind (luckily, this did not include my wife, as she joined me just a couple of months later), and throwing myself into deep water. Sounds interesting, just like it did back then. So there I was, ready to begin this exciting new chapter – ready to experience working not only in a new country, but also in a new role, in a new company.
You’d think wrapping my head around this all took a while – that I needed time to adjust, to blend in. Truth be told, however, I instantly felt at home in Cisco – and I loved every single moment of my new career (I still do, to those wondering). So, what made it possible? Yes, I could sell you a story of how adaptable I am. I could laud my personal traits and determination to succeed. But you know what? I wouldn’t be giving us justice. For Cisco is where I truly felt at home (and still do, for those wondering). It is the place where we are all different, yet united under the banner of goodwill and helpfulness towards each other. Examples? Ask someone for help, and they will set aside what they are doing to make sure you’re out of the woods before continuing. Ask a person you have never met before for a chat and they will happily share their knowledge and advice with you. And finally, you can count on people rallying to show you their support if things go really bad.
Almost as exciting as working here. Honest.
I would be lying if I said everyone fits the above description – but the vast majority do. And it truly is a wonderful feeling to know you can count on each other in times of need. For sooner or later, such times come to every single one of us – and when they do, you are not alone.
And hence, what I initially considered a chapter, I now wish to become an entire book. Multivolume, preferably. Cisco is a great place to work, and I wish to stay here for good.
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